AN ARTIST will be swapping Cornish lanes for the streets of London next month when she makes her debut in the London Marathon. Karen Lovelock will be running in the marathon on April 23 to raise money for the charity Against Breast Cancer which provides aftercare and research into the disease which has affected a number of her friends in the past. For 39-year-old Karen, who paints under the name 'Libby' and works from the Arty-Farty gallery at Fish-na-Bridge, Polperro, running marathons is a relatively new development in her life which began when she entered Cornwall's Race for Life. 'I couldn't run down the road when I first started a year and a half ago but I think I'm ready for the marathon now,' she said. Training sessions on Bodmin Moor are ensuring she will be in peak condition for the race but she is now desperately searching for sponsors and contributions to maximise her fundraising for the charity. She is aiming to raise £1,400 and is inviting anyone interested to send donations by cheque, made out to Against Breast Cancer, to Arty-Farty, Fish-na- Bridge, Polperro, Cornwall PL13 2QR or, if they would like more information, to call her on 01503 273195. Karen is also selling examples of her work, a postcard featuring a painting of the Blue Peter Inn, from the gallery at £1 a time, with the money raised going to the charity.
